Page:President's Daily Brief (1974-02-26).pdf/5



Army chief Krit Sawara recently told key troop commanders in the Bangkok area to be ready to move quickly and decisively should disorder again break out. Although he did not amplify his order, Krit most likely is thinking in terms of arresting selected student activists. During violent student demonstrations last January, the government relied on the police force to handle the situation and the army was not called on.

King Phumiphon apparently has quietly given his approval to the military to quell any sizable student-inspired disorder. the King is having second thoughts about his support of the student movement, in light of some of the “radical” views now expressed by several student leaders.

Despite some concern in Bangkok that the army may take advantage of the situation, there is no evidence that it would use a move against the students as a pretext to oust the civilian government. Strong measures to restrict student political activity, however, could lead to a confrontation between the army and the students. Army sensitivities are running particularly high because of student charges that army units recently burned down a village suspected of harboring Communist sympathizers in northeast Thailand. 2